So often we get involved in great ministries and we see wonderful results from these works. It is at those times we get on a spiritual high. It is like finally getting to the top of that large hill on a roller coaster. You work hard to get to the top, then the ride down the other side, the twists and the turns create the thrill of the ride.
Then comes the end of the ride and the train slows as it enters the place where you must depart the ride. Your adrenaline is still pulsing through your body as you and your friends talk about the heart-pounding ride you just shared. Then as you reach the midway and the sun beats down on you, the thrill of the ride begins to fade your thoughts begin to turn to the discomfort from the heat, that your feet hurt, and you really need a drink.
Christianity is much like this in many ways. We are involved in serving people. Because we are servants, we get excited that we have the opportunity to use our talents to serve others. We go through the planning stages of something we are going to do, then we put our plans into action. We serve faithfully and we are thrilled that we could be part of the ministry. Then we step back and see the results and we discuss them with our brothers and sisters. The problem arises generally from two different sets of circumstances. First, if we try to live off the adrenaline of the ride, it will soon fade away. The thrill of one ride cannot last forever. Secondly, we start hearing the voices of critics. This causes us to wonder if what we did was really worth it and did anyone appreciate it.
This is exactly where Elijah was. He had just had a great victory over the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. The challenge was more amusing than anything else. The prophets of Baal called out to their god in vain for hours. Elijah mocked them as they waited for their god to answer. The prophets of Baal cut themselves and their blood gushed out as they tried to persuade their god to heed their call.
Finally, at the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah took his turn. He had the altar and the ox that had been prepared for the sacrifice soaked with 12 pitchers of water. Then he called upon God and immediately fire came from God and consumed the wood, the ox, the stones, the dust, and licked up all the water! What a great victory! After witnessing something as great as this how could one ever fall from a spiritual high again?
When Queen Jezebel threatens Elijah, he runs and becomes depressed. He seems to forget the great victory that God had just granted him. He begins to feel sorry for himself and feel he is all alone. Again, God gets Elijah’s attention and assures him that he is not all alone. God then instructs Elijah on what he is to do next.
I think we can see ourselves in this story. What we need to do is learn from it and not allow ourselves to fall into those spiritual depressions where we think we are the only one. God is always with us and will not leave us alone. God also wants us to remain busy in His service. As long as we busy ourselves with serving, we will not have time to sink into a spiritual ditch. We must always “be about our Father’s business.”
Read I Kings 19:1-18